"A stakeholder consultation convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva has reviewed recent epidemiological studies related to HIV transmission and acquisition by women using hormonal contraceptives," a UNAIDS press statement reports (2/16). In a technical statement (.pdf), "[t]he Geneva-based United Nations health agency confirmed its existing recommendations [Thursday] after a study published last year found using contraceptive injections doubles the chance women will catch HIV and transmit it to a male partner," Bloomberg Businessweek reports (Hallam, 2/16). The WHO "concluded that hormonal contraception -- whether the pill or injection -- was safe for women at risk of HIV to use if they wanted to prevent pregnancy," the Guardian notes (Boseley, 2/16).

According to a WHO media note, the agency recommends there be "no restrictions on the use of any hormonal contraceptive method for women living with HIV or at high risk of HIV," and "[c]ouples seeking to prevent both unintended pregnancy and HIV should be strongly advised to use dual protection -- condoms and another effective contraceptive method, such as hormonal contraceptives" (2/16). "UNAIDS recommends that people who are sexually active -- particularly women and girls -- have full access to information and counseling to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health needs," the U.N. News Centre writes (2/16).

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